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NU declares war on radicalism
Amid waning popularity and increased political activism by its clerics, Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) announced it would campaign for a peaceful and tolerant Islam to fight growing radicalism in the country
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mid waning popularity and increased political activism by its clerics, Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) announced it would campaign for a peaceful and tolerant Islam to fight growing radicalism in the country.
Celebrating its 85th anniversary in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, the country’s largest Muslim organization declared that it aspired to be “the friendly” Muslims that would oppose extremism and terrorism.
NU chairman Said Aqil Siradj said at the ceremony that tolerance and moderation were the basic principles behind the movement.
“Tolerance and peace are our strengths, our values,” he said, adding that since its establishment in 1926, NU had actively supported the unity of Indonesia, which would have been impossible to achieve if citizens were intolerant toward each other.
A NU era: Members of Pagar Nusa, Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) pencak silat team, perform during celebrations of NU’s 85th anniversary at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday. JP/Berto Wedhatama
Said said extremists who wished to turn the country into an Islamic state presented a challenge for moderate Muslim organizations.
“I declare that NU will never seek to replace [the state ideology of] Pancasila,” he said.
“Democracy is the best tool to improve people’s welfare and to keep the nation united.”
Said said that NU, which claimed to have 80 million followers, was a crucial element in the nation’s social and political constellation and was ready to become a government watchdog. “In a democracy, it is normal that the government is monitored by others.”
Said said NU would not oppose the ruling government. “We would never stir trouble or start a rebellion.”
Established as a stronghold for conservative Javanese Muslims in East Java, the organization was among the nationalist movements that supported the country’s struggle for independence. NU later gained political leverage and popularity for its moderate Islamic views and support for pluralism.
A past leader, late former president Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, was often referred to as the country’s cleric for pluralism for his moderate views and respect for religious minorities.
In the wake of growing right-wing Islamic movements in the country, NU’s popularity has started to wane.
The National Awakening Party (PKB), the political party closely affiliated with the organization, has continued to lose seats at the House of Representatives.
In the 2009 general elections, the party secured only 28 seats in the legislature.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on his speech that he appreciated NU’s role in shaping the image of moderate Islam.
“I am grateful that NU has the right perception about peace and unity in Indonesia. What [NU is] doing is right and essential to save our nation from radicalism,” he said.
Yudhoyono said that NU, with its reputation as a moderate Muslim organization, should help the government maintain security.
“We can work together to secure the nation from domestic and foreign threats,” he said.
At the event, NU’s youth wing, GP Anshor, announced the establishment of Densus 99, a special branch to address the threat of terrorism.
GP Anshor chairman Nusron Wahid said the special division was initiated after a bombing at a mosque in Cirebon, West Java.
“We didn’t have our own unit to address the issue of terrorism, despite the growing threat. That’s why we established Densus 99,” he said.
The special division derives its name from the National Police counterterrorism unit, Densus 88.
“We have 200 members. We will train more members and work with police counterterrorism officers,” Nusron said.
The celebrations were attended by more than 100,000 followers from across the country, causing traffic jams in Senayan area.
Islamic scholar Azyumardi Azra said NU should speak out more strongly against radicalism. “If moderate Islamic organizations fail to speak out, extremist movements will gain a foothold.”
Azyumardi also said NU should play a greater role in education, where radicalism has quickly and silently taken root. He added that NU should reach out to a younger generation to gain their loyalty.
He said NU as a social body was large but its influence on its followers had weakened. “NU followers are divided into several political categories. They cannot be seen as one sole political entity.”
Azyumardi said NU would be better respected if it could achieve more in social and religious affairs. “NU has the power to run checks and balances in civil society.” (lfr)
